COLOR ME HOPE

Color Me Hope

Black men and women

breaking the silence of fear and doubt

Green grass

piercing through layers of death

Cool blue waves

tearing down the structures of injustice

Yellow canaries

singing the hymns of freedom

Black men and women

showing the colors of hope

Rise to new life
Overcome adversities
Love courageously
Color me Hope

Sister Desire' Anne-Marie 

Dedicated to all men and women who have given their lives to build a world based on Hope.

And This Little Lady Sang Songs All the Way Home

My heart was moved yesterday, first by a great sadness and then by a steady joy.  As only God can do, these emotions took place in the midst of a single event, which was a day out at the Mystic Seaport Aquarium with our Sisters from next door.

God created OCEANS for them...

Countless individuals around the globe enjoy spending time with their loved ones at the zoo or aquarium, and I was one of them until I watched "The Cove".  Now I can't help but be turned off by what has been imposed upon our fellow creatures of the earth.  When we went to watch the sea lion show, I recalled what I had heard in the movie about the anxiety and anti-depression medication given to the stressed porpoises of Sea World.  Such information seems to have sealed itself in the part of me that acts as my conscience.  I do not judge, nor am I angry with, anyone who supports these things out of innocence or lack of information, but I do pray that for those of us who know better, we may use the knowledge, talents and hearts that God gave us to make a difference.

Sisters Marcia and Alexa :)

As for the steady joy that settled within me, it came from the laughter, adventure and companionship of my Felician Sisters.  At one point, a few Sisters and I journeyed over to the shops in Mystic which were separate from the aquarium.  We stopped in an Irish store, a fancy boutique, a general store, and a chocolate shop.  One man insisted upon purchasing my items and so I gave him a rosary that I had made. "Thank you," he said, "I haven't had one of these in years."  In receiving blessings and giving blessings, receiving kindness and doing our best to reciprocate it, and working as a team among ourselves and with those around us, we were able to find some gifts for a few friends and make a few friends along the way.

The famous Sister Angelise!

During our total of about three hours on the bus, we shared meaningful conversations, sat in contemplative silence, and made a few knotted rosaries.  Sister Angelise even brought her guitar and played everything from "If You're Happy and You Know It" to "I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane" as we sang along.  People truly are inherently good, and as I begin to see more of it wherever I go, I am more able to see the hope that comes from God by way of His creation despite the devastation I have also witnessed.

The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
(Num. 6:24)

A Quarter of a Century: Turning 25 Years Old!

Today was amazing.  It was the second time I could not celebrate my birthday at "home", but God has shown me that family and friends are not limited to one group of people.  I can't even give an account acurate enough to tell you a story about today.  Instead, I will list the events for you as they happened throughout the day so you may see just how generous our God is with His blessings.

My Bible Class Table Group!  (Minus 2)

1. For the first time ever (since I can recall), my birthday fell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
2. I overslept and one of my fellow novices rescued me by knocking on my door, so I was able to get up with just enough time to make my way to 7:30 a.m. Mass.
3. When receiving Holy Communion at Mass, the Sister ministering the Precious Blood handed the chalice to me and said, "Happy Birthday, the Blood of Christ".  It was the best way to receive our Lord.
4. I ate breakfast with many of the Sisters whom I don't get to see often... There were waffles and cream-o-wheat, too, yum!
5. My breakfast companions sang a delightful Happy Birthday to me.
6. I found a gift tucked away in my pew at Chapel, along with a heartfelt card.
7. Upon returning from Mass, each of the Sisters in my house had either placed a gift, a card, or both outside of my bedroom door.  Each card made me laugh or smile; there were comments anywhere from "Enjoy a day with Nutella" to "You're a blessing".
8. I had spiritual direction with my holy Franciscan priest, and as I drove there I listened to my Clay Aiken Christmas CD (only because he sings "Mary Did You Know" so beautifully).  Plus, I didn't get lost!  I almost did, but God helped me out.
9. My mom and two sisters called to wish me a happy birthday and let me know they were passing out gifts to each other... Oh how I love them.
10. I finished my Bible class homework.
11. Sister Carlotta made the banana pudding dessert I requested as a birthday treat.  My mom said she got it from a Vanilla Wafer box, but hey, I like it!  Have you ever had it? -- Vanilla Wafers covered in sliced bananas and French Vanilla pudding -- It's simple, yet delicious.
12. I went to Bible class.
13. My wonderful wonderful groupmates surprised me with a birthday song, an amazing lime/coconut/cool whip/sponge cake, gifts and a card.
14. When we left Bible class our van wouldn't start and the snow had begun to fly all around in the icy wind!  But God provided and two of my groupmates saved us with their jumper cables and loving assistance.
15. We finally got some snow after our October freak-storm.
16. Plus I got countless birthday wishes and blessings via email, Facebook and snail mail!

All I can think to say is Thank You: to our God and to His magnificent people.  Amen :)

The best photo we could get as we cowered inside the van...

Christmas Cookies

Alright everyone, I have a confession to make: I do not particularly feel that God has destined me for a ministry in or around or near the kitchen...  In other words, I don't like to cook.  Fortunately, the Sisters have not allowed this to keep me from the monthly schedule of kitchen duty :)  And now at Christmas, it has not kept me away from the privilege of baking.  We are baking dozens and dozens of cookies so that we can give them to all those who have contributed to our well-being throughout the year.  It's a wonderful plan, but what do I contribute when I have no clue what kind of cookies I could make or what the recipe would entail?  Well, I can be the help.

So on Saturday the 17th I went downstairs promptly at 1:00 p.m. to assist Sister Angelise with her Mexican wedding cake cookies (also known by several other names that I am unable to remember at this time).  Sister Bridget was also in the kitchen preparing to make three different types of goodies herself: chocolate drop cookies, twice-baked biscotti and something else that tasted really good.  Here we are, then, two experienced kitchen people and one not-so-experienced kitchen person who is wondering just when it will all end even though nothing had actually started.  On goes the apron as I prepare to engage in my first task: making balls of the cookie dough.  Alright, not so bad.  Things are going smoothly as we put our cookies on the sheets and into the oven to later cover them in powdered sugar.  In between all that, Sister Angelise and myself begin to help Sister Bridget with her cookies, too.  We put cherries in the chocolate drop cookies, crunch up some walnuts, and I get to free all the utensils of their delicious batter.  None of us had looked at the clock during this time and the next thing we knew it was 3:00.  What was I doing in the kitchen so long!  Two hours...  Impossible.  Should I leave?  Do I panic?  I don't understand.  And yet, I'm still having fun. Weird.  But I stayed.

The Final Product of Cookie Week

We were all three in the kitchen together until 4:30, but for about an hour or so in that time, Sister Angelise and I had brought up our instruments -- she strummed some Christmas carols as I did my best to accompany her with the flute.  Sister Bridget whizzed around, feeding us broken cookies, exclaiming, "I'm being serenaded!  This is already my favorite Christmas!"  Then she started telling stories and Sister Angelise, with her wonderful gift of improvisation, began to turn the stories into hilarious songs as I did a little jig or two for added effect.  We had such a wonderful time, we decided to stay in the kitchen a little longer and put some frozen pizzas in the oven for everyone.  We even whipped up some nacho cheese to satisfy our chips and queso craving.  By the time we were done, it was a little after 5:00 and I felt blessed to spend my entire day in the kitchen.

Lord, I am amazed at the wonders You work in us.  You can take the simplest task or the heaviest burden and turn it into a song of praise that even You are pleased to hear.  You do this not for Yourself, but for us -- to give us a life that is worth living, a life that brings joy to us and to others.  Thank You for loving us so much.

Franciscans Are My Favorite

Sister Clare and Myself

I was recently given the opportunity, along with my three of my fellow novices, to go with our Assistant Director to four days of Franciscan wonderment in Graymoor, NY.  From Tuesday, November 8th until Friday, November 11th we enjoyed the fellowship of other novices and the like from several different Franciscan communities.  The speaker, Sister Clare D'Auria, OSF, shared her wisdom on discernment and what it means to be a part of the Franciscan family.  The photos and links offer you a little window into the time we spent there... The videos are skits or parodies performed by several of the novices and postulants who attended the conference that week.





Our dear TOR Sisters did a wonderful parody to "Bye Bye Miss American Pie" -- it was fantastic.  They're included in our plan for the next skit, of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz_P7-b6w4M

We can't leave out our TOR Brothers who did a hilarious sing-a-long song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWfHaiPJLNc

And the OFM Brothers put on the best magic show I've ever seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Pfyl_Hvtc
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Some Franciscan Fun -- TORs and Felicians!

I learned so much, not only from our speaker, but also from my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  I learned that not only is it possible to "put yourself out there" -- talents, non-talents and all -- but it's possible to be accepted for these things as well.  I felt so comfortable with these people that I knew even if I had done a solo and sang something in my toneless voice, I would've walked away receiving plenty of honest encouragement.  These people are real: They're genuine, they're humble, they're loving... I was blessed first with my biological family, but it seems I have been blessed also with the best extended family anyone could ask for.  I only pray that I may fit right in and be able to accept not only myself with all of my imperfections, but others with all of their imperfections as well.  Sister Clare reminded us during the week that, "God is always with us.  Whether we go to the left, or go to the right, He's right there, telling us, 'This is the way, walk in it.'  Even when we choose the wrong path or make a mistake, He's still with us."  Should we not, then, be ready to always accompany our neighbor no matter what journey they are on or where they are at in that journey?  In doing so, we would give each other a better idea of who God truly is.

Our Great Franciscan Group!